Chief operating officer at UCLan Michael Ahern said: “It’s exciting to see the building taking shape before our very eyes, and the timelapse footage only highlights the scale and magnitude of this project.

“The EIC will be a real asset to the University and the region, bringing enormous educational and economic benefits now and for generations to come. As an organisation dedicated to driving improvements to the community as well as our students, we are committed to delivering a first-class facility which Preston can be proud of.”

How the new engineering building is due to look

Around 500 locally trained engineering graduates each year in careers such as aerospace, energy technology and mechanical engineering are due to graduate each year from the centre.